Auvi-Q or Epi

[shoshana]

I apologize if this information has been discussed before -- it's been a long time since I've been here.

It's time to refill dd's rx and I am thinking of switching to the Auvi-Q.  Any thoughts from anyone regarding pros and cons vs. the Epi-pen?

Thanks!!

[Macabre]

DS 15 LOVES the Auvi.


FDA approves auvi-Q (epinephrine auto injecter)

[hk]

We just got the Auvi-Q and love the size!  I'm still doing Epis at school.

[bleh]

We just recently filled an auvi-q script so we have both the epi and the auvi-q. The size of the auvi-q is great. I always dread carrying the epi pen for my daughter as I can only shove so many things in my pockets. The voice directions are a nice addition. Don't forget to print out the auvi-q coupon!

[maeve]

Like hk, I'm providing EpiPens to school and DD will carry an Auvi-Q on her.

[yelloww]

I'm doing the same for ds as Maeve is doing.

[twinturbo]

I carry a mix of EpiPen and Auvi-q for the kids and myself. For school the allergist recommended sticking to EpiPens specifically because that's what the staff was most likely trained with.

[MandCmama]

Made a last minute decision to go with all auvi-q's for school this year.  The school nurse loved then so much, she did a special training, so I'm comfortable the "new one" will be fresh in their heads

[CMdeux]

We are considering having DD carry an Auvi-q because of the voice directions.

It would really be great in terms of bystander aid.

[twinturbo]

I'm not sure I agree with allergist that Auvi-q would confuse staff trained with EpiPens. That's more assumptive than proven although the logic is solid. I'm considering sending in Auvi-q with EpiPens. Last year's school loved the Auvi-q trainer. And as someone who pop quizzed our EpiPen trained school staff with live EpiPens and oranges I can attest that either Dexter trained them with EpiPens or they had forgotten because there was a lot of wacky stabbing going on. With an Auvi-q they all followed the voice as if they dare not disobey the Enterprise self-destruct warning to reach safe minimal distance.

[nonuteen]

I wondered about this also.  We picked up our refills last night (for almost $600!!) and decided to stick with Epi's for now because it is what we (and the school)are familiar with.  May look in to getting an Auvi-q next month to get familiar and compare.  I LOVE the idea of it "talking" and helping dd's friends if she should need it and be unable to administer herself.

[nonuteen]

Do you think I could get an Auvi-q trainer somehow before getting switching?

[Macabre]

Do a search on YouTube to see the Auvi in action. I know I uploaded one.  I think there are a lot. Actually Sanofi has a training vid on their site.

For us--DS took his Auvi trainer to school nurse the day after he got it last year. She sent a link to the training vid to all faculty and staff. Since DS carries it, it's important that his teachers know it.

He carries the Auvi.
School has Epis for him
I carry 2 epis in my purse (for self, as I have FAs but would use them on DS, too).

FYI on an amusement park ride I had him trade with me, because that nice huge Epi did not fall out of his buttoned bottom cargo shorts pockets the way the Auvi did.

[spacecanada]

When given the choice, every single one of my coworkers preferred the Allerject (Auvi-Q) to the EpiPen because of the voice prompts.  I make sure to have two with me at work at all times.  I still have two EpiPens in my backpack/purse as they are easier to recognise by the general public.  The Allerject are smaller so I can put them in my shorts pockets, jacket pockets, etc.  The EpiPens are a lot easier to carry in a SPIbelt though, as carrying two Allerjects side by side eventually stack on top of each other, so I carry EpiPens whilst running or wearing under my shirt if I don't have pockets or a purse. 

They both have pros and cons so I have both simply for convenience sake.  If I wasn't a runner and always had a backpack or pockets, I'd probably choose Allerject/Auvi-Q over the EpiPen because I get very lethargic during reactions and may rely on the voice prompts should I have to self administer. 

[my3guys]

I made last minute decision to send a mix of epis and auvi-q to school.  I'm thinking auvi-q will be for cafeteria where there may be potentially more inexperienced people administering in emergency.  I'll see what school nurse says.  I'm also going to have ds (Age 11) start carrying an auvi-q.  He actually got kind of excited about it (if that's possible) at the allergist appt.  The small size of it combined with the voice prompts made him very willing to use the trainer.